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Pope eager for Purdue, Georgetown exhibitions: 'It's going to test us before the season even starts'

Tyler-Thompsonby: Tyler Thompson10/07/25MrsTylerKSR
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Mar 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) reacts against Houston Cougars forward Joseph Tugler (11) in the second half during a Midwest Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Fans will get their first glimpse of Mark Pope’s second Kentucky Basketball team tonight at Pro Day, again on Saturday at Big Blue Madness, and next week at the Blue-White Game. However, this year’s preseason slate also includes exhibitions against Purdue and Georgetown (University, not College). That’s a considerable step up in competition from previous exhibitions, which could only be held against Division II teams. When the NCAA changed the rules earlier this year, Mark Pope seized on the opportunity to test his squad from the jump, setting up a date with the Boilermakers, considered to be the preseason No. 1 team, and Ed Cooley’s Hoyas, a Big East blueblood.

On Monday, Pope said he’s looking forward to both exhibitions — and the data he can pull from them ahead of the season opener on November 4.

“I think it’s fun for our fans. I think it’s elite for us. Not only do we get to play the preseason No. 1-ranked team in the country, and we get to do it before the season even starts, but they’re also a veteran, veteran, veteran team that functions probably better together than any team in the country. 

“So it’s going to test us before the season even starts in a really special way, and we need that. We need that. It gives us great data points to grow and figure things out, and challenge us. I love it. I’m really grateful.”

Purdue comes to Rupp Arena first, on October 24. The Boilermakers made it to the Sweet 16 last season, losing to No. 1 seed Houston in the game following Kentucky vs. Tennessee in Indianapolis. They are No. 1 in most preseason rankings, thanks in large part to senior point guard Braden Smith, a preseason favorite for National Player of the Year, and All-American forward Trey Kaufman-Renn. Like Kentucky, Purdue is proven offensively — No. 7 nationally in offensive efficiency last season — but there are some question marks on defense. Pope rebuilt his roster with defense in mind, so this will be a huge test, right out of the gate.

“Matt [Painter] is probably — if he’s not the best coach in the country, he’s one of them, and he’s proven that he can do it his way with the guys he does, and he’s established a really unique, relevant, incredible culture,” Pope said. “So the fact that we get to start that way, and then follow it up with Ed Cooley, who is just an elite, elite, elite [coach]. I can’t think of any better way to prepare to start the season than to get to face those two teams.”

Georgetown isn’t in the same class as Purdue, but the Hoyas continue to rebuild under Cooley, entering his third season as head coach. Last season, Georgetown finished seventh in the Big East with an 18-16 record, derailed by injuries to Thomas Sorber and Jayden Epps. Pope believes it’s just a matter of time before Cooley brings Georgetown back to prominence.

“You guys are going to hear me say this over and over again. Man, can we get to 41 [games]?” Pope said, once again stumping for the schedule to expand to 40-plus games. “I would like to get to 41 games now, but this, in a sense, lets us go from kind of 31 to kind of 33, and our added 33 is the No. 1 team in the country and a Georgetown team that’s going to be really, really good. Ed is in the process of really turning this thing around.”

It’s hard to believe that in just 17 days, we’ll have a preseason top ten showdown at Rupp Arena. Purdue is No. 1 and Kentucky is No. 7 in The Field of 68’s preseason rankings. Even though the result won’t count, Pope is eager to see how his team responds.

“The one great thing about doing this before the season starts is that you get all that time to reconstruct. It’s just gathering data. So right now we’re actually in practice trying to create those types of situations so we can learn our guys emotionally.”

And what if the Cats run the Boilermakers off the court?

“If we were to beat Purdue by 30, I would be, like, Wow. I would walk into practice and be, like, ‘What just happened?’ This Purdue team is great, right? They’re a marker of where we’re trying to get.”

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2025-10-20